Originally Posted By: TheFallibleFiend
The critical difference is that skeptics are open to evidence, whereas denialists have made up their minds are [sic] just looking to justify their beliefs.

I've heard this from both sides of the bench, and it's always the other person who is the denialist (a neologism to dismiss those who disagree, apparently derived in modern usage from "Holocaust denier," which nobody was able to write without it appearing French) and one's self who is the skeptic, regardless of the topic.

Knowing the definition of either or both words does not guarantee that we won't work real hard convincing ourselves that we are in the desirable category.

"I don't know which is worse: ignorance or apathy. And, frankly, I don't care." - Anonymous